Planted September 7, 2023 First Street Towers Purdue University West Lafayette, IN
We traveled to Purdue this weekend to see the memorial trees we had commissioned for planting last year. The trees are finally installed at the new First Street sculpture garden outside of the center tower off of Mitch Daniels Blvd. These are under-story trees and will grow to eventually 20-25′ in height. So, they are starting out small but we know they will make a big impact to the surroundings, just as Ethan did when he lived at First Street during his undergraduate studies. This species is a less common white flowering variety which will be very exciting to see in bloom next spring!
You can see the record of the trees from the Purdue Arboretums interactive treemap website… Many thanks to Brooke Sammonds, Landscape Architect on staff with the Purdue Grounds division, whom helped with the process of choosing this site and her efforts toward making the memorial trees a reality this year!
We feel a deep connection to the people of Campus House at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Pastors, staff, members and attenders have poured out their love on us since we stepped into the church when we were discovering Purdue for our son Ethan back in 2016. That first meeting was within the walls of their older building… a “mushroom-like” place in the heart of Purdue.
Located in the heart of Purdue’s campus, Campus House is a Jesus-centered, non-denominational church community being formed together in His ways for the sake of the campus, the city, and the world. For over 50 years, our heart has been to reach Purdue’s campus and Greater Lafayette with the love of Jesus, to encourage and equip disciples who make disciples, and to be a sending base for mission and ministry throughout the world. God has brought a unique mix of undergraduate and graduate students, young professionals, families, and retirees into our community, so whatever your life stage, you belong here. We’d love for this to be your church home on campus.
When Ethan became a student at Purdue in the Fall of 2018, he jumped into life on campus and with the Campus House community. We are so grateful for everyone whom welcomed him and walked alongside him with the rest of the student population in the four years of his undergraduate degree. He had returned to the community of Campus House the day he passed away. It was a beautiful day, challenging each other to live for the Lord in bible study and the care of the men in his life at Joshua House.
This community has honored our son and his commitment to follow Jesus even now in these days without him. Campus House hosted a Game Night on June 7th, 2023 for our JolteOn Memorial Game Days and brought together friends to remember the joy of his life in games. They touched our hearts incredibly by dedicating Classroom 1 in honor of Ethan’s impact.
Remembering Ethan Wang Classroom 1, Second Floor Campus House 1000 Mitch Daniels Blvd West Lafayette, IN
Here are the words from the Campus House pastoral staff on the plaque in honor of Ethan’s life…
“Ethan graduated from Purdue in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering. He loved Star Wars and video games, cheese and sushi, and was known around campus as the “roller-blading guy”, a nod to his passion for the game of hockey.
Ethan was part of a core group of students who saw us through the COVID-19 pandemic, including our year in “exile” in a temporary leased space as we tore down our previous building–remembered as “the mushroom” for its odd shape–and built this one. Ethan was a teacher and a learner, brilliant and brutally honest, an intense yet wonderfully hospitable kind of leader who loved Jesus and desperately wanted others to know the grace he had experienced. He wrote this in his notes one Sunday: “What you put at the center of your life affects what is at the center of the lives of those close to you”. For Ethan, that was undoubtedly Jesus.
He was excited about what God was doing in and through the Campus House community and, upon graduation, Ethan accepted a local job offer so that he could continue to participate in what Jesus was building here. Tragically, he died the week he was to begin this new chapter in his story. When Ethan put his faith and ultimate hope in Jesus, he was banking everything on the reality of the resurrection. The hope that he had is the hope that doesn’t disappoint, that can’t be cut short. It isn’t wishful thinking, but rather a living hope, the deep reality of life in Christ. As we gather in this space, we remember Ethan’s unshakeable hope in Christ and deep love for our community, and we honor all that God did in and through his time with us.”
We are forever grateful for Jesus’ work through Campus House.
A long time friend of mine held a Memorial Game night on June 9th 2023 with three friends she had not seen in quite a long time. Nancy Blume has never met Ethan in person; however, as fellow sisters in Christ, she has known him through prayer requests and sharing life stories over the years. I have been in bible study with Nancy multiple times in the 20+ years our family has been members of Christ Community Church. We have personally shared the ups and downs of life over these years. I love how she took to heart the idea behind the Jolt-On! Memorial Games and championed her own time.
June 9th Game Champion Nancy Blume (2nd from left) and Friends
In Nancy’s own words, here is the time she shared with us:
I have only known Ethan through your memories and stories and I am grateful every time you share Ethan with me. I shared some of these memories of Ethan with my Jolt-On Game Night friends before we jumped into games. When I decided to host Jolt-On, I reached out to a few friends who haven’t all been together for a few years and they all came. We started with Left Center Right, and I took Nicole’s suggestion about the “loot” and used Hershey kisses! Who knew chocolate would turn on the competitive spirit in our friend, Linn, who won three rounds in a row!! After that we switched to Dutch Blitz, where Carrie took the crown! Beth and I may not have championed in any of the games but we all treasured the evening of laughter, and reconnecting with friends.
Nancy also shared with me another way this time ministered to her. She stated she “re-realized” how much she LOVES playing games! She is now praying for opportunities to keep playing. This is really the spirit of Jolt-On! and the joy Ethan brought to our lives and others through games. The joy of community and time connecting together. We will be praying with you, Nancy, for the presence of game opportunities to be a consistent reality with those the Lord brings to your life.
365 days without Ethan. June 9th, 2023, has arrived very slowly. We marked Ethan’s first year gone and his Giant Leap into Heaven day as peacefully as possible today. No doubt due to the huge amount of prayer we have been supported with by friends and families. We have been very grateful for everyone whom joined in the Jolt-On! Memorial Game Days as well. You all gave us such strength to finish strong.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever!
1 Corinthians 9:25
After the anticipation of being back at Purdue and Campus House this week, we returned home and spent today quietly… enjoyed an Ethan favorite activity. Lingering at Barnes and Noble is one of his all time favorite things to do. We found ourselves contemplating favorite books (Mysterious Benedict Society Riddle of Ages volume 4, Science reads on how stuff works (yes, Randall Munroe!) and materials of our world, Math reads, explored new Lego sets with dreams of what he would be doing in the Lego sustainability world today (thinking also of our next annual Christmas memorial build set… most promising is the Lego Star Wars Endor Speeder Chase Diorama), enjoyed Studio Ghibli finds and browsing the huge selection of new games. We settled on purchasing a new card game for a Memorial Game play finale this evening and to add to our collection, Happy Little Dinosaurs.
365 Days now without you… missing you every moment… missing building memories with you… your laugh in the midst of games and conversation… your warmth and your smile. There is no “moving on” even with a year of firsts behind us. I know you would want us to keep going strong, so we continue to game-on your way… we can only seek to Jolt-On!
We are so grateful for the staff and student community of Campus House at Purdue University. This is Ethan’s church. This is the community he chose to ground himself within while living at Purdue during his undergraduate years… he was deeply connected in fellowship and bible study leadership. Therefore, we invited the Campus House community and anyone else at Purdue into the Memorial Games on the evening of Wednesday, June 7th (2023). Even though it is summer semester and campus is quieter, it was a blessing to have about 25 in attendance to enjoy a wide range of games for the evening.
Joshua House Friends, David and Ben
We pulled out all kinds of board games and card games. The staff at Campus House know the value of game time very well. During Fall and Spring semester, they champion weekly game time for any student to join in. Having access to their collection was awesome! Here is a window into the time:
Blokus Honestly, this was the first game I pulled out of the cabinet! Ethan and I played this game A LOT as he grew. It is a great strategy game for all ages. 2 to 4 players, though. It was fun to see it in action again!
Catan This was a new one to me and several fans of the game came to enjoy it. There is a lot to the base game alone as well as many additions to the game that make it appealing for long term play. Lots to learn!
Dutch Blitz This one is a FAVORITE at Campus House! During Fall and Spring semester, students are invited weekly to challenge their lightening fast speed and love for this card game. In the spirit of Solitaire, Nertz or Pounce, the Dutch Blitz card game uses a uniquely designed deck of cards. Many of the students gravitated to this one specifically and it was fun to watch them go!
Euchre Another well loved card game in the MidWest, there were a few new faces to Euchre during our time. Some veterans shared their love of the game to teach it to those whom wanted to learn. Euchre is a team play card game employing the use of the Jacks as “Bowers” to set the suit of play each game. Ethan enjoyed playing this game with our family at just about every holiday back at home!
Minecraft Noah brought along is Nintendo Switch and set it up on the large screen for anyone wishing to engage in video gaming. Minecraft was one of the first games Ethan had shared with his brother, Noah. It was fun to see a few of the youngest participants figuring it out for the first time!
Secret Hitler Another new one for me, but not for the Campus House and Joshua House attendees! I found out many of them personally own the game and we could see the game circle grow quickly as it was brought out. There were well over 8 players seated around the game boards vying for one of three roles: Liberal, Fascist or Hitler! Set in pre-WWII Germany, players are German politicians attempting to hold a fragile government together. It took a few turns and a really good game mentor (thank you Four!) for me to get the flow of the game, but I eventually joined in. To play is to either bluff or investigate your way through. I loved seeing the multiple acting personalities come through in this exciting game!
Warhammer 40K Noah challenged family friend, Jacob Chappell, to a W40K skirmish. It is no secret that our family loves the legend, lore and artistry of the model miniature game, Warhammer 40K. Ethan had actually introduced his friend Jacob to the game back in the days of high school when we lived in the Dallas TX area. It was fun for attendees to see the team models in action and learn more about the depth of the game.
During the event, we served cake and had the blessing of sharing fellowship time with many of Ethan’s friends that we have stayed in contact with during this long year. It was great to meet new faces around the game tables as well! Campus House is a community of believers whom seek to welcome all into the family of Christ. We certainly feel like a huge part of this family! It is very encouraging to us to see how the staff remember Ethan as they continue to welcome students at Purdue in the semesters to come. If you are a Boilermaker or are interested in the work and ministry of Campus House. Check out their website for more information!
The Memorial game ideas keep rolling in. Our long time family friends, Milt and Sharon Feryance, did not let distance come between them and gaming with friends this last Wednesday, June 7th. We love how they took to heart being Game Champions and used an online venue to share connection time!
Game Champions: Zoom with the Feryance’s
We just finished playing games for the Jolt-On Memorial Games Week. It was the Riveras in Iowa, Rich Phillips & Maureen Hughes-Phillips and Milt and I. We had a lot of good laughs playing Trivial Pursuit,Two Truths and A Lie and answering questions from our leader 1000 questions book! Thanks for helping us bond more and using this opportunity to remember Ethan and the ways he brought others together through games. May God comfort you, Joel and Noah, and may he continue to give you the strength to persevere as you continue to bear this heavy burden of grief. Love, Sharon & Milt
Thank you for encouraging us and providing another awesome idea to enjoy games when separated across the miles. All of you are a blessing for joining us and we hope you find opportunities to keep playing!
The Atkinson family joined the Jolt-On! Memorial Game Days on Ethan’s birthday to champion game time at their home. I sure wish I could have joined them in person as their chosen game was SuperFight! This is a personal favorite of Ethan’s… especially during Middle and High School years. There is something awesome about assuming a character and crazy attributes in pursuit of the best battle story. He loved the super powers and corresponding super problems that were presented and then the ridiculous story argument that followed. We always enjoyed great laughs every time the cards came out.
I am told the characters in this particular SuperFight were:
Conan
Attributes: 6 inches tall and floating down on a parachute
Abraham Lincoln
Attributes: with X-Ray vision and could become whatever is touched
T-Rex
Attributes: Matches the size of opponents and throws 200 mph fastballs
Now that is quite the SuperFight! I have a hunch Abraham Lincoln was quite the formidable opponent… but then I can also see Conan and T-Rex using their new attributes to make an explosive challenge. That would be hard to judge if you ask me! Thank you Atkinson family for sharing the fun of your game night with us!
Ethan’s long time friends came together on Wednesday, May 31st… Minecraft was the perfect game of choice to highlight the time of remembering their friend through games. Everyone lives in separate places now, some near and some far. I remember the days of elementary, middle and high school when it was just a short drive from house to house in order to be in community with each other.
Check out the results of their Minecraft shenanigans below!
I am especially touched by how the time helped them remember him…
As is customary, the game was preceded by an hour of IT troubleshooting, but miraculously it worked. Playing video games, it was a toss up whether Ethan was going to be competitive, or a carefree agent of chaos. In Minecraft he was usually the latter. It was really nice to get together and remember the jovial spirit Ethan would bring to games.
One thing I particularly loved about Ethan was his ability to meet people where they were. While gaming he adopted different attitudes and playstyles to make sure everyone was included and having a fun time. He also stayed up way too late on school nights to accommodate the night owls (though i wish he prioritized sleep a little more). That’s the kind of person he was.
Comment taken from the original Game Days posting
Thank you all! We carry such wonderful memories of all of you along with our son!
I just got back from my women’s bible study friends Game Nite. We met tonight, Friday, June 2nd (2023), for an evening of fellowship and competition (I truly did not know how competitive some of my friends really are!). Our leader, Sharon, provided the location and we all brought games to consider. In addition, we shared snacks and desserts and fun conversation.
Our game lineup started with a long round of the game Left-Center-Right. This is usually a fast paced dice game where players exit and enter the game at random based on the throw of up to three dice. The winner takes home the “loot” pile as the last person with any tokens. We made it a bit long by choosing to give everyone 25 pennies as their passing tokens… it gave us a lot of time to share and talk during the game play. Maureen was the ultimate winner (all of $2.00 worth!) and we crowned her the Game Queen!
There were so many games to consider this evening. We ended the night with the hilarious game of Say Anything! As we took turns, parts of this game got me thinking of what Ethan would say. The major part of the game is to pose a question to your opponents. Saying the phrase “In my opinion” before every question helps to remind everyone to think of the speaking player when providing an answer. So, when I heard the question, “In my opinion, what is the best lego model?” I could not resist thinking of an answer that Ethan would have said!
It was a fun night with everyone sharing stories and laughter. I have not had the ability to laugh like that for a long time now. Oh the healing power of games! It is not surprising to me that I also felt less stressed coming home tonight. I know this is a major reason Ethan engaged others in game play so often… after all, life can be stressful. Several women in our group commented that they had not laughed out loud in a very long time. I hope we can find more time for stress relieving fellowship and maybe play Pitnext round, Ladies!
The Jolt-On! Memorial Game Days Game Pass event at the Boiler Game Mine last Tuesday, May 30th was a great success! It was our honor to have been able to share this great space with the Purdue and West Lafayette, Indiana community. In this game replay, we are sharing some of the fun that happened on Ethan’s 23rd Birthday…
Our sponsored Game Pass time at the Boiler Game Mine started at 4pm on Tuesday May 30th, 2023, in celebration of the Esports efforts at Purdue over this last academic year and Ethan Wang’s 23rd birthday.
The generous staff of the Boiler Game Mine welcomed gamers through the afternoon and evening. For those coming to the Boiler Game Mine for the first time, the staff provided one on one game challenges on the Nintendo Switch and XBox console along with giveaways of Free 1 hour gaming coupons to those who participcated. In these photos, I recognize several faces of Ethan’s friends and fellow Esports gamers whom were able to come enjoy the space. One friend from Campus House noted:
The day was full but I made it with just enough time to catch the end and talk with a couple of friends who were there. What a cool idea! I remembered Ethan’s calm presence with a joyful heart yesterday. Thank you for the invite!
Cupcakes were provided through Baked by Brittaney, a Boilermaker owned bakery in West Lafayette, IN. Ethan’s favorite… yellow cake with chocolate frosting were enjoyed by all!
We are very grateful for the leadership of the Purdue University Recreation & Wellness staff, along with the Purdue Memorial Union and Boiler Game Mine Management whom came alongside us to make the event possible. Jason Maynard and Travis Huston were hugely present in the planning and bringing ideas for the event. They assisted us with promoting the event throughout the Purdue Memorial Union in the days and weeks during May, 2023. On the big screens in the Mine, Travis graciously gave us the ability to share some of the highlights during the last year that have brought this space into reality through the efforts of Jason Maynard (Recreation & Wellness). Jason continued the work that Ethan started alongside him on campus before his passing.
You can read more about Ethan’s capacity to bring forward the Esports program at Purdue University on our post for the event, Capacity: Esports at Purdue. There are also links to several of the current Esports Clubs through the University website if you are interested in being involved! If you missed it this year, we are looking forward to providing future Game Pass events from time to time in Ethan’s honor. In addition, we are always staying in touch with the Esports club leaders of Splatoon @ Purdue and Battle Association @ Purdue for support of their seasons efforts. Be on the look out for what comes next!
If you were able to attend the Game Pass event, head to the comments below and tell us about your time! Not on campus or able to attend? Not a problem, head back to our Game Days Schedule to see what is coming up next for the remainder of the Jolt-On! Memorial Game Days!
